HOUSE OF HOLLAND iPHONE CASE

After getting an iPhone 4 for Christmas this year (thanks Dad), I was so excited to get online and find a gorgeous iPhone case. I had been eyeing up a few lovely cases, including this amazing houndstooth case from House of Holland. I had told myself I was in no way allowed to buy it, because it was £25 and that was kind of a deal breaker for me. However, after a bit of time it went down to £15 in the January sales (Urban Outfitters only, as far as I'm aware) so I just bought it without hesitation. I absolutely love the pattern and colours - who said you can't wear pink and red together anyway?! It's just the best accessory and I seriously love it! XOXO

FADED

I've wanted to try faded nails for a while and only this week did I decide to try it. I did something similar a while ago using just two colors that were similar and painting them straight on, but I wanted to try a better technique. There are a few different methods to doing this look that I have seen, but I think the most praised method that I have come across is using a sponge. I started by doing a base coat and then doing two solid coats of the pale blue/green. I then cut a chunk (ugh hate the word chunk) out of a standard cleaning sponge and dabbed some of the lilac nail varnish onto it. I blotted it a couple of time on some paper just so that it wouldn't go onto the nail really think and then dabbed it onto the nails from about half way down. I then repeated this again, only slightly higher up the nail and with a bit more nail varnish on the sponge. I then made sure the lilac at the top of the nail was a solid colour, did a top coat and that was it! For my first attempt I am pretty pleased with how they turned out! I think the lilac might have been applied slightly too thick and there isn't enough of a fade for me, so I'll be practising loads more and probably try again soon because I really like this look. XOXO

JANUARY: I'M FEELING INSPIRED

So I really enjoyed my last inspiration post in December and I wanted to try and make it a regular fixture. I find inspiration in so many places, from Instagram to magazines to Tumblr and other blogs. I love looking at how other people wear things and I am so inspired at the moment by streetstyle and I think it is the best place to get ideas. This month I've been loving my burgundy turtleneck jumper from H&M which has been perfect to wear in the chilly weather. I'm also really loving maxi skirts, which I think are great for Autumn/Winter because they look gorgeous but you can also - like me - wear a sneaky pair of thick tights and socks underneath!

 

All images are from Tumblr.

 

XOXO

SNOW DAY!

JUMPER - H&M, LEGGINGS - TOPSHOP, BOOTS - ASOS, BAG - TOPSHOP

For those outside the UK, the weather here has been pretty crazy for the past few days. It's been snowing and of course that means that everything stops and we all enter a major state of panic. Where I live the snow started on Friday, making for a chilly and kind-of pointless half day of sixth form. There was none-stop snow all day and the lessons I had were really laid-back because everyone was just obsessed with the snow and completely distracted. I love when a bit of drama occurs like this because everyone is talking about it and it feels oddly communal and like something that brings people together. Over the weekend the snow has come down like a blanket which means another snow day for me today which was very nice and appreciated. Thank you to the weather gods for the lovely long weekend! XOXO

WHITE STRIPES

Monochrome is set to be a big trend this spring/summer and so I was inspired to create some bold black and white nails. I used a black base colour and a white Models Own WAH! nail art pen to create the stripes. I love them because they are so striking and draw quite a bit of attention. They were even picked up by Grazia magazine for their Manicure Monday feature after I posted a picture of my nails on my instagram and twitter! I was so excited and insanely proud of myself. Even my Dad - who thinks my interest in nails is a bit of a waste of time - acknowledged that it was impressive and congratulated me on doing a good job. XOXO

'LIEBSTER AWARD' - I'VE BEEN NOMINATED!

Hello guys. A few days ago I was nominated by Stellar Diaries for a 'Liebster Award' which was lovely surprise and really cool. It is basically an award-type thing for bloggers who have less than 200 hundred followers and could do with the publicity.

RULES

1/ Choose 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers and link them in your post

2/ Go to their blog and tell them that you have nominated them

3/ People who are nominated must post 11 facts about themselves

4/ Answer the questions set by the person who nominated you and create 11 questions for your nominees 

6/ No tag backs

 

11 FACTS ABOUT ME
1/ I absolutely hate cheese
2/ I never learnt how to ride a bike
3/ I'm scared of sloths
4/ Ever since visiting Paris, I have become addicted to coffee
5/ I am obsessed with the Kardashains
6/ I'd love to go to LA
7/ My favourite book is Wuthering Heights
8/ I am a cat and a dog person
9/ I want to get some tattoos in a few years, even though I'm really nervous
10/ I am a major hoarder of magazines
11/ I'd like to learn to speak French
12/ My wardrobe must-have is my leather biker jacket

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS SET BY STELLAR DIARIES

1/ Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In LA or London working in fashion, writing and nails.

2/ What is your biggest strength?

I've been through a lot, so I would have to say my strength to overcome.

3/ What is your favourite movie of all time?

Oh my gosh this is such a tough question. It's between Mean Girls and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Two very different movies.

4/ What is your top 3 makeup necessities?
I'm not really loyal to any specific brand names. Liquid Foundation, black Mascara and black kohl eyeliner.
5/ What is your biggest regret?
Not being grateful enough for someone who I have now lost.
6/ Do you believe in love at first sight?
Not really. I believe in lust at first sight, and to love someone you have to know them on the inside.
7/ What is the secret to true happiness?

Not looking for it? I think if you are constantly looking for 'true happiness' you will never appreciate what you already have.

 8/ What is your least favourite makeup brand?

I don't really have anything negative to say about a brand. I guess I would say Collection 2000 because I recently tried their Colour Match foundation and it was BAD.

9/ How important is being healthy to you?

I try to have a balanced diet but binge way too much and need to get into shape. It's becoming increasingly more important to me.

10/ If you could only choose to spend money on either skincare or makeup, which one would you choose?

Makeup. I only use really basic skincare products anyway and make up is fun and creative.

11/ Where do you see your blog in 1 years time?

Finishing college, it will hopefully be a bigger part of my life. I want to do more outfit posts and generally find a balance of all the topics I like talking about. If my blog grows in popularity that would be a cherry on top!

11 NOMINATED BLOGGERS
1/ I Like To Wear Silly Hats
2/ Pretty Delicate Layers
3/ The Night Is Wild
4/ Every Wear I Go
5/ Under My Umbrella
6/ Fashion In This Place
7/ PerksOfBeingAlly
8/ I'm Stealing The Thunder
9/ Emily M. Reid
10/ emilyemilybeth
11/ Other Infinities

MY 11 QUESTIONS
1/ If you could be anyone else in the world for a day, who would you be and why?
2/ What is your favourite magazine?
3/ What is your best feature and worst feature?
4/ What is your dream job?
5/ What is the last film you watched?
6/ Who is your idol?
7/ What is your favourite item in your wardrobe?
8/ Shoes or bags?
9/ What three things would you take with you to a desert island?
10/ If you had to pick only one, which would you rather have: beauty or intelligence?
11/ What are you most proud of?

XOXO

I AIN'T SAYIN' SHE A GOLD DIGGER

I AIN'T SAYIN' SHE A GOLD DIGGER by daisyodriscoll featuring topshop

Hey guys. I'm super busy this week with coursework and being back at college so I thought I would just do a little Polyvore outfit. I love this simple tee (while I currently have on order) from Topshop. I was really inspired by Rihanna's recent look with this. Her style is just my favourite at the moment. XOXO



ANOTHER LOVE

Hello guys. There are a lot of new and exciting artists emerging this month and Tom Odell is on the top of my list of favourites. He recently won the Brits Critics' Choice award, meaning he is predicted to blow up in the next 12 months. I had heard his name floating around Twitter the past few weeks, particularly with Lily Cooper (previously Allen) praising him at every chance. Clearly, the lady knows what she is talking about. It is only recently, thanks to the BBC using his song 'Another Love' in their new TV ad, that I have finally listened to his stuff. I'm kicking myself that I hadn't heard it sooner. His lyrics are emotional and vulnerable and his voice is soft and soulful. 'Another Love' is just the most stunning song I've heard in ages and 'Can't Pretend' is punchy and brilliant.  He is so amazing and I'm excited to hear and see more from him. Because my second love after fashion is music, I'll probably be doing a few posts in the near future about the new and exciting talent that I love, so I hope you lot enjoy! XOXO

NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year everyone! I hope everyone isn't feeling too bad after the holidays. In the years recently past, I've not enjoyed New Years really. Actually specifically, I used to get very drunk and cry about all the time that had gone, and how I'll never have it back. 2012 was rather good for me in comparison to previous years, and so this New Years I felt quite positive and excited about the future. Which is so unlike me that perhaps I've been replaced by a doppelganger. I've even made a few New Year's Resolutions in the hope of having a brilliant year through having some control in what happens within it. So here goes..

1/ Be braver/ Take more risks

This year has so many possibilities and opportunities, with me leaving college and braving the real world. This is both completely terrifying and super exciting. I want to be able to grab opportunities even if they scare me. This also links quite nicely to point No.2 ...
 

2/ Wear whatever I want

There are so many times when I really want to wear something or buy something and I don't because I worry about wearing it in everyday life or people's opinions. I hate this. I am far more confident to wear what I want than I used to but there is always room for improvement. I need to go big or go home. No more basic or bland looks. I want to love what I wear everyday and just wear whatever makes me happy.
 

3/ Blog more

Because I never blog enough even though I love doing it. Simple as.
 

4/ Properly sort out my bedroom

My bedroom is a state and it stresses me out. Maybe my feng shui is all out of focus or something. Did I even use that right? I need to get rid of probably about 70% of my belongings and it's going to be a nightmare to sort out but it's got to be done. Ideally before I completely lose it.
 

5/ Reply to peoples texts, tweets and comments

This such a bad habit. I always either forget to reply to people or just don't even see their messages to me, and I feel so rude. It's pretty awful so this really needs to change.
 

6/ Get fit and healthy

This involves taking up running. As in, actual physical activity. So that will be interesting. I'm tired of complaining about my jeans being tight while stuffing my face with chocolate and sitting around doing nothing. I need to take control and create a new and healthy lifestyle. Plus, Christmas has made me feel so icky and fat.

 

Basically, I need to get my arse in gear and do more with my life. I'm excited.

XOXO